Definition of "Escrow fees"

Jason Coker real estate agent

Written by

Jason Cokerelite badge icon

Legendary Realty

The escrow fee is basically how the escrow agent or manager get his/her compensation for assisting and handling both the parties and the funds involved in escrow.

In real estate, the escrow fee is considered part of the Closing Costs and, because it’s in both parties best of interest, it can be split by the Home Seller and the Home Buyer, but there are some cases where the Home Seller or the Home Buyer will handle it by him/herself. Usually, this decision follows local customary practices, so ask your real estate agent – who usually oversees the escrow for you anyway – how is it usually done regarding who pays the escrow fee.

Now, the amount you (and/or the other party) pay for it is determined by the escrow agent and is negotiable - especially if you are in a competitive real estate market. But if there is an “average” cost of escrow fee, it would be of 1 to 2% of the price of the house entering escrow.

Real Estate Tips:

Talking about paying... Do you know what's 100% free? Our Agent Directory! Search away for a local real estate agent and good luck!

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

A contract not in writing. Oral contracts are legally enforceable except for those applicable to the sale of real estate. ...

Any commercially fabricated and widely available product designed for household and personal use. Consumer goods are available in an open market place and are competitively priced. ...

Principle stating that the joint tenants must have equal rights to possession of the whole property. ...

Doing business as, or DBA, means an official moniker for your enterprise or company. Regularly, a DBA is a state certificate serving as a registration name and issued under a ...

Meaning or definition given to an act, fact. Or thing through legal or juridical interpretation. ...

A capital asset. An expenditure to buy property and other capital assets that generate revenue. Securities of real estate companies. ...

Older property is bought usually by a governmental agency to be modernized and improved. In many cases, the deteriorating property is torn down and a new structure built. An example is ...

How many days, months, or years are required before a new building has the desired occupancy ratio. The occupancy rate influences the amount financial institutions are willing to lend. ...

Dividing a lot into two or more parcels. Normally a variance would have to be obtained to permit a lot split. The lot cannot be split unless they meet minimum area zoning requirements ...

Popular Real Estate Questions